And all that handle the oar, the mariners, and all the pilots of the sea, shall come down from their ships, they shall stand upon the land;

EZEKIEL 27:29KJV
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Ezekiel 27:29 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 27:29 mean?

Ezekiel 27:29 describes how all those who work at sea—those who handle the oar, the mariners, and the pilots—will leave their ships and stand on land. This verse paints a picture of seafarers abandoning their vessels, signaling distress and the end of their work at sea.

In context, Ezekiel is speaking a prophetic message from God against the city of Tyre, which was famous for its shipping and trade. The verse uses the image of skilled sailors leaving their ships to show the downfall of Tyre’s maritime power. The scene emphasizes how complete the disaster will be: even the most experienced seamen have no choice but to give up and come ashore.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 27:29

  • "handle" (תָּפַשׂ, tāphash): This word means to grasp or take hold of, here referring to those who physically work the oars. It highlights the manual labor and skill involved in navigating the ships.
  • "oar" (מָשׁוֹט, mashot): This is the tool used to row the ships. Mentioning the oar specifically draws attention to the everyday work and effort that keeps trade moving.
  • "mariners" (מַלָּח, mallākh): This word means sailors or seamen, the general crew who operate the ship. Their inclusion shows that everyone involved in seafaring, not just leaders, is affected.
  • "pilots" (חֹבֵל, chovel): This term refers to the shipmasters or navigators, the experts responsible for steering and guiding the ship. Their presence in the verse underlines that even the most skilled are powerless in this situation.

Why Ezekiel 27:29 matters

  • Ezekiel 27:29 helps the reader see the scale of Tyre’s coming downfall by showing that every level of maritime worker, from laborer to expert, is forced to abandon ship.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage, which uses the image of a shipwreck to describe the destruction of Tyre’s economic and cultural influence.
  • By naming specific roles and actions, Ezekiel 27:29 makes the prophecy vivid and relatable, highlighting the total disruption of daily life and commerce.

Where else these words appear

“oar” Hebrew H4880 · used in 2 verses

  • Ezekiel 27:6 Of the oaks of Bashan have they made thine oars; the company of the Ashurites have made thy benches of ivory, brought out of the isles of Chittim.

“mariners” Hebrew H4419 · used in 4 verses

  • Ezekiel 27:9 The ancients of Gebal and the wise men thereof were in thee thy calkers: all the ships of the sea with their mariners were in thee to occupy thy merchandise.
  • Ezekiel 27:27 Thy riches, and thy fairs, thy merchandise, thy mariners, and thy pilots, thy calkers, and the occupiers of thy merchandise, and all thy men of war, that are in thee, and in all thy company which is in the midst of thee, shall fall into the midst of the seas in the day of thy ruin.
  • Jonah 1:5 Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep.

“pilots” Hebrew H2259 · used in 5 verses

  • Ezekiel 27:8 The inhabitants of Zidon and Arvad were thy mariners: thy wise men, O Tyrus, that were in thee, were thy pilots.
  • Ezekiel 27:27 Thy riches, and thy fairs, thy merchandise, thy mariners, and thy pilots, thy calkers, and the occupiers of thy merchandise, and all thy men of war, that are in thee, and in all thy company which is in the midst of thee, shall fall into the midst of the seas in the day of thy ruin.
  • Ezekiel 27:28 The suburbs shall shake at the sound of the cry of thy pilots.

“ships” Hebrew H591 · used in 28 verses

  • Genesis 49:13 Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea; and he shall be for an haven of ships; and his border shall be unto Zidon.
  • 2 Chronicles 20:37 Then Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, the LORD hath broken thy works. And the ships were broken, that they were not able to go to Tarshish.
  • Isaiah 23:14 Howl, ye ships of Tarshish: for your strength is laid waste.